Apparatus and semi-reflective optical system for carrying out analysis of samples

Abstract

An optical disk for use in conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical or biochemical sample in association with an optical reader capable of scanning and reading optical disks with a beam of light has an optically transparent substrate having a semi-reflective layer which reflects a portion of the beam of light to form a reflected beam and transmits a portion of the beam of light to form a transmitted beam. The semi-reflective layer includes optically readable encoded information to be read by the reader for controlling the scanning of the reader relative the disk, the encoded information providing modulation of the reflected beam. The disk includes a sample support surface positioned to be scanned by the reader and on which the biological, chemical or biochemical sample may be located for optical inspection with the transmitted beam.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An optical disc for use in conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical or biochemical sample in association with an optical reader capable of scanning and reading optical discs with a beam of light, said disc comprising: 
       an optically transparent substrate having a semi-reflective layer which reflects a portion of said beam of light to form a reflected beam and transmits a portion of said beam of light to form a transmitted beam, said semi-reflective layer including optically readable encoded information to be read by said reader for controlling the scanning of said reader relative to said disc, said encoded information providing modulation of said reflected beam; and  
       a sample support surface positioned to be scanned by said reader and on which said biological, chemical or biochemical sample may be located, for optical inspection with said transmitted beam.  
     
     
       2. An optical disc according to claim  1  in which said encoded information and said sample on said support surface are in optical alignment with respect to said beam of light. 
     
     
       3. A disc according to claim  1  in which said optically readable encoded information is in the form of a circular track or a spiral track. 
     
     
       4. An optical disc according to any of the preceding claims  1  through  3  in which said encoded information is located in at least an intermediate region of said disc. 
     
     
       5. An optical disc according to any of the preceding claims  1  through  3  in which said disc includes a biological, chemical or biochemical material attached to said sample support surface. 
     
     
       6. An optical disc according to claim  5  in which said material attached to said sample support is coloured, reflective or fluorescent. 
     
     
       7. An optical disc according to claim  1  which comprises a gel and electrodes for applying a potential across said gel. 
     
     
       8. A system for conducting optical inspection of a biological, chemical or biochemical sample comprising: 
       (A) a disc according to claim  1 ; and  
       (B) an optical disc inspection assembly including:  
       (a) a radiation source for providing at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation;  
       (b) a detection system comprising one or more detectors for detecting radiation reflected from and transmitted through said semi-reflective layer.  
     
     
       9. A system according to claim  8  in which said radiation source is located relative to said disc so that said sample support surface is located between said radiation source and said semi-reflective layer. 
     
     
       10. A system according to claim  8  in which said radiation source is located relative to said disc so that said semi-reflective surface is located between said radiation source and said sample support surface. 
     
     
       11. A system according to claim  10  in which said detection system comprises two detectors wherein one of said two detectors is located on the same side of said disc as said radiation source and the other of said two detectors is located on the side of said disc opposite said radiation source. 
     
     
       12. A system according to claim  11  in which said detection system further comprises a third detector located on the side of said disc opposite said radiation source. 
     
     
       13. A system according to claim  8  in which said detection system comprises a video monitor for viewing the results of said optical inspection. 
     
     
       14. A system according to claim  8  in which said disc comprises a gel and electrodes for applying a potential across said gel. 
     
     
       15. A method of conducting an optical inspection of a biological, chemical or biochemical sample employing a disc adapted to be read by an optical reader, comprising the steps of: 
       providing such a sample associated with a disc according to claim  1 ;  
       conducting an optical inspection of said sample using an optical reader; and  
       reading said encoded information with said reader.  
     
     
       16. The method of claim  15  in which said steps of conducting an optical inspection and said step of reading encoded information each include the substeps of using quarter wave light reflected from said disc as part of said conducting and reading steps. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim  15  in which said encoded information is optically interrupted by the presence of said sample and said optical inspection of said sample is accomplished sequentially to the reading of said encoded information. 
     
     
       18. A method according to claim  15  in which said conducting includes providing an optical image of said material. 
     
     
       19. A method according to claim  15  in which said optical inspection includes directing a beam of radiation onto said sample to produce detectable radiation which is reflected from and/or transmitted through said sample. 
     
     
       20. A method according to claim  19  in which only detectable radiation which is reflected from said disc is measured. 
     
     
       21. A method according to claim  19  in which detectable radiation which is both reflected from and transmitted through said disc is measured. 
     
     
       22. A method according to claim  15  in which said sample support surface is internal to said disc.